Real Problem with HealthCare Made Simple

From the Community…

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  Posted by Diana Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:53pm PDT

  I am shaking my head with this post. The last concern I want on my Dr's mind is the cost of treatement. I only want him concerned with getting me well. I would never want a doctor to take into account my financial status before he formulates a way to heal me. Also, do you think that doctors don't get sick or injured? Plenty of them have been in the "system" and are well aware of the costs of treatment but as I said, I don't want finances to be an issue when I am straddled on the emergency room table dying from a car accident.

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  Posted by SILENT KNIGHT Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:54pm PDT

  That just means we need more kids in school who want to be better doctors and whatever else is needed in the healthcare field. Besides that porn is a billion dollar industry, if americans can afford to have the most expensive wildest fun imaginable, then why can't we afford to help our fellow americans?

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  Posted by Mrs. Carol B Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:12pm PDT

  I beg to differ with you, dear. Doctors know full well what the cost of the treatments and tests they order cost. They are human beings with families of their own, not robots and have to use the same healthcare system we all do.

  As for getting a bill after it goes to the insurance company, it is the patient's responsibility to ask "is this 100% covered by MY insurance" and/or what is MY CO-PAY for this test. We are responsible for making our own choices with regard to healthcare.

  As for the person who doesn't have healthcare; that's where we all come in. We are footing the bill for this person with higher costs spread to everyone who uses the system. Higher medical premiums, higher cost for drugs and tests. Hospitals don't run on air, they run on money, our money. We all need to use the system wisely.

  I personally need an MRI tht my insurance refuses to cover and I cannot get the MRI and then say I can't pay the bill because I am a well-paid registered nurse. I have to save to privately pay for my MRI to look for the cancer I might have but the insurance won't pay for the MRI because I can't prove I started my period before age 14. You see, I dont' meet all their criteria for them to agree to pay for the MRI. If I can't afford an MRI and get diagnosed with cancer through some other means they will have a major lawsuit on their hands. Do they care? NO!

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  Posted by Katherine Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:34pm PDT

  Physicians at Mayo, Froedhert, Baylor,University of Iowa, and others, were not able to tell me the costs when I asked.

  I have a lifetime of knowledge about this subject and appreciate your comments. I had cancer in my twenties, rupture of my ovary into my pelvic cavity which needed immediate surgery. Later, I had multiple strokes and seizures. I experiences 9 blood clots in the last month of my pregnancy. My pregnancies were high risk - I had a 50% chance of dying due to rupture, requiring ultrasounds every two weeks.

  I currently take $9000 worth of injections per month and have over 7 years. My physician ordered MRIs every 3-6 months when the strokes were discovered. I have not kept up with their request because of the cost to my family.

  Last week, I spoke to my insurance company regarding coverage. I was looking at a bill in which my physician had charged double the amount. I now understand that this double charge is normal! The insurance company pays it regardless of my co-pay. I asked the insurance company how often this happens. They told me it happens all the time, I just had not realized it.

  Then, I asked my insurance company how often I could go to my doctor's office and they would continue to pay. They said that I could go every day. There is no limit on in-network coverage over my lifetime and the bills are rarely questioned, meaning there is no ceiling.

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